Kilojoules are now the killers as anorexia shuts down body
Anorexia is not simply an obsession with being thin but a psychiatric illness with sufferers restricting food intake.
Recent scrutiny of stars like Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo for their weight has brought eating disorders into the spotlight. Anorexia is not merely an obsession with thinness; it is a serious psychiatric illness that involves severely restricting food intake. This fear of gaining weight and distorted perception of one's body drives the behavior.
Medical professionals warn that prolonged malnutrition forces the body to conserve energy, which can lead to the slowing of normal functions and the breaking down of muscle tissue as the body tries to survive on too little energy. The heart is particularly at risk, as starvation can cause dangerously low blood pressure, slower heartbeats, irregular heart rhythms, and even sudden cardiac death.
Electrolyte imbalances, particularly involving potassium and sodium, can also disrupt cardiac function. Damage to the body can be permanent, especially when anorexia develops during adolescence when bones are still developing. This can result in weakened muscles, increased fracture risk, bone loss, and menstrual irregularities. The digestive system suffers from constipation, bloating, abdominal discomfort, and delayed stomach emptying.
Dehydration and malnutrition can compromise kidney function. Hormonal changes may lead to menstruation stopping in women and declining testosterone levels in men, affecting fertility. Physical effects also include brittle hair, dry skin, and the growth of fine body hair as the body struggles to regulate temperature. Constant coldness, fainting, and extreme fatigue are additional warning signs.
The brain also suffers, with malnutrition affecting concentration, memory, and emotional regulation. This can worsen anxiety, depression, and obsessive thinking. Malnutrition can impair a person's ability to recognize the seriousness of their condition, making recovery more challenging. Treatment involves restoring nutrition while addressing the psychological aspects of the disorder, such as the fear of eating and distorted body image.
Simply gaining weight is not enough; sufferers must also receive psychological care to address the underlying issues driving their eating disorder.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
